A+ 2003 edition by december

[HandOfZek]

Assuming I'm just now (today) looking into getting it, how feasible is passing the exams? Have lots of time to study and cram, not sure what's on it/not on it though, and just how "common sense" they are.

[GroundZero3]

How much hands on do you have? And how familiar are you with computers?

[HandOfZek]

See, I'm really not sure. Grew up playing with the stuff, can put a PC together on my own and understand basics of how an OS works. Not sure what to compare my knowledge with.

[famosbrown]

The A+ in my opinion is an entry level certification. Depending on how much experience you have, it is very easy. For those who knows how to read and memorize, it is also VERY easy. The test tests you a lot of on memorizations for instance...types of motherboards, length of network cables, etc. It tests VERY little on actual troubleshooting and most of it is pretty simple like IRQ conflicts, device driver problems, etc.

The OS is pretty simple as well depending on how well you memorize or your experience.

The Network+ is pretty much the same...recalling what you can remember.

When you start getting into the Microsoft test (MCSA/MCSE in particular), you will be tested more on applying what you have learned or know to solve a problem or implement a solution. You won't get questions like what does NAT or RRAS stand for. You'll get scenarios/stories.

Back to subject...in my opinion, I think it is very feasible in passing the A+ 2003 objectives. I wouldn't cheat yourself by cramming and memorizing, but in my experience, that's all it takes to get this certification. I took a class on it for one week, studied for two, then took both the hardware and software exams on the same day. I had some experience, but I also had to memorize some stuff I don't use everyday like memorzing IRQ 0, 1, 2, I/O memory addresses, etc.

Famos

[SeanC]

If you've built computers you're half-way there already. You'll just need to memorize the various standards like hard drives connections, bus connections, adapter cards, I/O ports, IRQs. You need to study some on printers, UPS's and a bit on static electricity